Ceylon Radio
Gracing as a special envoy of His Excellency the President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Secretary Defence and Urban Development Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa unveiled the newly constructed Dolos Mahe Pahana (eternal flame oil lamp) and the Gantara Kuluna (bell tower) at a historical religious ceremony held at peak of the mountain of Sri Pada (Adam’s Peak) yesterday (07th February).
On par with the religious function the President Mahinda Rajapaksa and first lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa also paid a floral tribute to Sri Pada by a Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) bell 412 helicopter.
Chief Prelate of the Sri Pada Ven. Bengamuwe Dhammadinna Thero presided over the religious procedures during the ceremony.
Secretary Defence offered alms (Kiripidu Pooja) and worshiped the “sacred footprint” in the morning. He also paid homage to the Saman Devalaya and got the blessing from the holy place. Furthermore he lit the eternal oil lamp amidst the blessings of the Maha Sanga. Secretary Defence declared open the new lighting system at the hilltop which was a long felt necessary of the devotees.
An all night Pirith chanting ceremony was also held with the participation of 500 Bikkus (monks) on 6th February at the Nallathanni temple to invoke blessings to the yesterday’s ceremony and it was followed by an alms giving in the morning.
Chairman of the Kandy City Centre (KCC) Mr. Thusitha Wijayasena sponsored for the charity with the help of the Tri forces and other contributors.
During the ceremony Secretary Defence, pilots and other crew members of the SLAF, members of the tri forces and members of the KCC who contributed to the philanthropy were honoured and presented with the mementoes of appreciation.
Maha Sanaga including Chief Prelate of the Asgiri Chapter, Most Venerable Udugama Sri Buddharakkhitha Thero, Commander of the Sri Lanka Army Lieutenant General Daya Ratnayake, Director General of Sri Lanka Civil Defence Force (CDF) Rear Admiral Ananda Peiris, Director Operations of SLAF Air Vice Marshal GP Bulathsinghala and a large number of devotees were present at the occasion.
(By: Ministry of defence media)
